Electric switch



Nov. 15, 1927.

W. E. MCLAUGHLIN ELECTRIC swITcH Filed July 12, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F'I G. 4

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i a g l F l G 9 W. E. MCLAUGHLIN ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed July 1 2. l1926 Nov. 15, 1927.

Patented Nov. '15, 1927.

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Original application filer. January' 181 1926, Serial No. 82,0285 Uvidcdandtiis application filed' July 12,`

' 1926.l Serial NO'. 121,310# l A My' invention relatesto electric switches and a syst'einof illumination', andis a division ot my! application Serial No. 82,028, iiledJanua'ry- 18,1926; l l lt is the object ot my invention topjro'vide ai system of: lighting particularly for automotive-,vehicles controlledby' a? t'oot switch, soV arranged that upon the depression'ofthe: tootswitch' the lighting' systeiiiy will be' converted'trombright to 'di1n,-or vice' versa, and will remain iiis'uch al condition until the switch is rdej'press'ed a' second time, when it will be converted'back to its original condition;V

ltf is my object to provide -sucha switch in combination either with a resistance system using single iil'aments in the lamps or a non-resistance' system using dual iilaments in the lamps, or two bulbs.

lt' is a 'further' object to.l provide such a system aiidineclianisn'r in combination with the hand-operated switchftound on the dash board ot aj'vehicle, or adjacent thereto.v

lt is myV further objectt'o provide a switch which, when depressed, will, by its movement,v position the' contact parts tor bringing into play the desired combination in the system to either al resistance or non-resist# ance?circuit,y or t a bright or dim filament circuit. v

lt is my Jfurther objectl to provide, infs'uch a combination, means for positioning posi- Atively' the switch elements at each oper-ation to insure their accuracy-in functioning upon the next operation.-

In' the accompanyingdrawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of the foot switch with the cover removed placed heneathv the floor board shown in section;

F igure 2 is a similar view showing' the switch in depressed position just? after' the Contact `members have been rot-ated:

Figure 3 is a. viewv similar to Figure 15 from the other' side ot the switch showing theother contactfingers; y

Figure 4t isa similar view to Figure save that the switch is in itsfdepie'sse'dposition; Figure 5 is a section' on the line 5 5 ot Figure 1; 5()

switch;

Figure 71 is a section on the line/77.7 of Figure 6;

Figure ti isfa bottomy plan view ofrthel ligure 8' is: asection on' the line 8-8 ofi Figure Y Fig-tiret) is a wiring diagram showing the installation of the switch and they system when single filaments 'are utilized with af' r'es; sistance in the line', preferably inthe hand' switch; and i Figure 10 a diagram showing the-system employ-ing' dual laments iii the' lamps, onefpairh of 'ilamentsbeing used for' bright lights and' the' other' pair being usedvl for socalled dimlights: f f

Referring to thedrawiiigs in detail, 1 is the` 'lo'ofr board of" a vehicle which suspends the switch through the medium ofthe: screws which pass through the lioo'r board' and through the' cover 3 and cup-ehaped support lj otV the switch.'y An inverted U-sha'ped cover, the bottom ot which rests o'nthe cover Bfand shown'insection at 5, has the side walls '6' depending over theopen side wallsof` the cup l (one ofth'ese side walls is broken' away in eachv ot the views'to show the interior mechanism) in order to enclose the switch;

Mounted on theV bottom of the cup 4Q' is a plate oi insulating materiali 'lhisfp'latev of insulating material has` a' plurality` of' grooves in its upper tace', designated 8,v in' which are placedthe bottom plates 9` ot" theirupstaiiding contact iingers 10, l1 and'12, which are mounte'diitv substantially rightan'- gies' to their bottom plates. The three' ter niinal bo'lts'l, 14' and'15 retain these'lingers inl position' in thegr'ooves in the' insulatingl base 7. The center' otfthe insulating'v base' is provided Awith anenlarged aperture 16 which is' adapted to contain a sleeve 17 above it, said sleeve terminating in a plu-y rality oivla'rge teeth 18. The bottom ofthe' sleeve'isprovidedfwith an' annular plate 19, through which theset screw 2() passes. This" set scr'ew passes through 'the bottom of the cup 4, which is designated E21, and also through the Linsulatingplate 7. 19 isalso held in position by one of the terbottom 21 is provided with an aperture 22 to permit the switch plunger 2 to pass back and'torth therethrough. This plunger has its downward movement resisted by'I a heli This ring' 90 which `projects upwardly through it' and .of 3l is with the contact cal spring 24 surrounding it, one end of which rests on the bottom 2l and the other end oi which engages a shoulder 25 carried on the plunger 23. This plunger also carries a sleeve 26 which has depending teeth 27.

This sleeve is adapted to rotate around the plunUer 23 but is also adapted to move with the pIunger by reason of' its engagement with the shoulder 25 through its shoulder ,28. These shoulders are held together by the spring 24. Connected to this sleeve 26 are ja pair ot' insulating plates 29 and 30, between which are held semi-circular separated contact segmental rings 3l and 32. These rings are held in position by the pins which pass through them and the insulating plates 29 and 30. Thus, the segmental rings are both reciproeated and rotated with the sleeve 26 and fingers 27. The upper end of the sleeve 26 is also provided with serrated teeth 34 which engage with positioning teeth 35 which depend from a sleeve 3G attached by the plate 37 to the under side of' the cover 3.

Referring to the diagrams and particularly to Figure 9, it will be noted that 38 is a ground connected by a wire 39 to a source of current, such as a battery 40 which is connected by the line 4l to the switch terminal 42. This switch terminal is connected to a swinging switch arm 423 and adapted to engage with the terminal 44 or the terminal 45. Between these terminals is a resistance 46. The terminal 44 is connected by the wire 47 to the contact finger l2. The terminal is connected by the Wire 48 to the Contact finger' 13. This terminal in t-urn is connected by one of the contact segmental rings 3l or 32, which is connected at its other side to the contact finger l0. The contact finger l0 is connected by the wire 49 to the wire 50 which leads to the filaments 5l and 52, the other sides of' which are grounded with the grounds 58 and 54.

Referring to Figure l0, it will be noted that the ground 38 is connected bv the wire 39 to the battery 40. From the battery 40 by the wire 41 it is connected to the terminal 42 which is connected to the switch member 43 andto terminal 44. The terminal 44 is connected by the wire to the contact finger l0 which .in turn is connected by the contact rings 3l or 32 to either of the contact fingers l2 or 13. lf it is connected to 4the contact lingers l2 then the circuit is made through the wire 56, wire 57 to the two filaments 58 and 59 Vwhich are likewise grounded at (50 and (5l. If' the engagement finger 13 then the circuit will include the wire 62, the Wire 63, the filaments 64 and 65 which are grounded at 66 and 67.

Met/wel of operation.

` In the case of' theresistance circuit using single filaments, if the operator places the hand switch for the lights to be bright, then the depression of the foot switch will rotate the contacts so that when they return they will be in dimming position and the lights will be dim and will remain dim until another depression and revolution of the contacts, when they will be restored to bright position.

In the ci se of dual filaments, when the circuit made for the lamps, tor the bright filaments are on, then the depression of. the plunger will convert thc circuitl over to the dim filaments. This circuit will remain until the plunger of' the foot switch is depressed once more whereupon the lights will be restored to bright, by bringing the bright filaments in circuit.

Thus the entire control of' the character of the lights may be secured without disturbing the hand switch by the operation of the foot button, thus eliminating any danger of the operator taking his attention from the road and his hands from the steering wheel to operate any mechanism on the dash board.

It will be understood that I desire to comprehend within my invention such modifications.as may be necessary to adapt it to varying conditions and uses.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. In a switch, a reciprocating plunger, a reciprocating and rotating contact member carried thereby, means to rotate said rotating contact member, contact fingers adapted to engage with said rotating reciprocating contact member, said contact fingers being so arranged that a portion thereof will always be engaged with said contact member and others will be alternately engaged, and means to position said rotating contact member to hold it in predetern'iined position until another actuation and rotation thereof.

2. In a switch, a support, a reciprocating plunger passing therethrough and actuated thereby, yielding means to resist the movement of said plunger, a sleeve carried therewith and adapted to turn thereon, contact members carried on said sleeve insulated therefrom, means on said sleeve adapted to engage with rotating means at the end of the stroke of the plunger, rotating means, and a plurality of contact lingers adapted to engage said contact members, one of said Contact members always being in engagement: with one of said contact fingers.

In a switch, a support, a reciprocating plunger passing therethrough and actuated thereby, yielding means to resist the movement of said plunger, ai sleeve carried therewith and adapted to turn thereon, contact members carried on said sleeve insulated therefrom, means on said sleeve adapted to engage with rotating means at the end of the stroke of the plunger, rotating means,

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aindaplurality of contact fingers adaptedto engagel said? Contact members, one of said cont-fact: niembers-"1 waysv being in engagement with-one: ofrsaidrontact" fingers, means carriedon'said sleeve for'positioningI it on the returnstrolte, andpositioning means for cooperating therewith. f

d Ina switch, a support, aplungerI carri'ed` thereby reciprocating therethrough, yieldingl means `resisting the movement of safidplunger, a sleeve carriedtlierebyadapted to rotate thereon, insulating supporting memlers" mounted on saidr sleeve having fragmentary contact members, fragmentary Contact members, contact fingers adapted to engage therewith, depending teeth from said sleeve having cam faces, a second sleeve spaced therefrom adjacent said plunger having cooperating cam faces adapted when engaging with the first mentioned cam farces to rotate said sleeve.

5. In a switch, a support, a plunger carried thereby reciprocating therethrough-` yielding means resisting the movement of said plunger, a sleeve carried thereby adapted to rotate thereon, insulating supporting members mounted on said sleeve having fragmentary contact members, fragmentary contact members, contact lingers adapted to engage therewith, depending teeth from said sleeve having cam faces, a second sleeve spaced therefrom adjacent said plunger having cooperating cam faces adapted when engaging with the first mentioned cam faces to rotate said sleeve, a set of positioning .fingers on the upper end of said sleeve and a second set of stationary `positioning fingers adapted to cooperate therewith to position said sleeve and maintain it in position.

6. In combination in a switch of a supporting casing, an insulating base therefor, a plurality of spaced contact fingers disposed thereon, a reciprocating plunger passing thr ugh said casing therebetween, yielding means engaging with said plunger and said casing for resisting the movement of the plunger, a sleeve mounted on said plunger adapted to reciprocate therewith and rotate thereon, insulating supporting means mounted on said sleeve, contact members carri-ed on said insulating supporting members adapted to engage with the contact tint/rs.` cam fingers depending from said sieeve, stationary cam fingers projecting upwardly from the bottom of said casing adapted to engage said first mentioned cam lingers when the sleeve is reciprocated, and means adapted to connect said contact iingers in an electrical circuit.

7. In combination in a switch of a supporting casing, an insulating base therefor, a. plurality of spaced Contact fingers disposed thereon, a reciprocating plunger passing through said casing therebetween, yielding means: engaging' with said plunger and said casing. forresist'ing the` movement of the plunger, a sleeve mounted on said plunger adapted to reciprocate therewith and rotatev thereon, insulating 4supporting meansfmounted on said sleeve, contact members carried onsaid insulating supporting members adapted to engage with the contact n'g'ers, cam iingers depending fromsaid sleeve, stationary cam Vlingers projectingpupwardly from the bottom of said casing adapted to engage said first mentioned cam fingersl when thc'sleeve is reciprocat'ed, and me'a'i'is` adapted to connect-said contact fingers in' an electrical circuit, 'positioning fingers on the upper end of said sleeve adapted to engage with stationary depending positioning fingers carried by said casing, and depending stationary fingers carried by said' casing. n

8. in combination, a tJ-shapedl supporting casing, an inverted U-shaped cooperating cover., a top arranged therebetween, means to suspend said casings, a plunger adapted to reciprocate therethrough, yielding means to resist said rcciprocation, a plurality of contact fingers arranged thereabout with the plunger operating therebetween, an insulating support within the casing for said fingers, terminal members adapted to position said fingers and connect the fingers to a circuit, a 'plurality of cam members arranged Von a sleeve on the bottom of the casing around the plunger, a plurality of cooperating cam members adapted to travel with the plunger and rotate thereon connected to a sleeve, a sleeve carrying insulating contact members, insulated contact members adapted to alternately engage some of said contact lingers and constantly engage one of them, yielding means to resist the movement of one of them, yielding means to resist the movement of said plunger a1'- ranged within said sleeve and cam members.

9. In combination.I a U-shaped supporting casing, an inverted U-shaped cooperating cover, a top arranged therebetween, means to suspend said casings, a plunger' adapted to reciprocate therethrough, yielding means to resist said reciprocation, a plurality of contact :fingers arranged thereabout with the plunger operating therebetween, an insulating supportV within the casing for said fingers, terminal members adapted to position said fingers and `connect the fingers to a circuit, a plurality of cam members arranged on a sleeve on the bottom of the casing around the plunger, a plurality of cooperating cam members adapted to travel with the plunger and rotate thereon'connected to a sleeve, a sleeve carrying insulating contact members, insulated contact members adapted to alternately engage some of said contact fingers and constantly engage one of them, yielding means to resist the movement of one of them, yielding means to resist the moven'ient of said plunger arranged Within said sleeve and cam members, depending positioning fingers around Said plunger carried by said easing, and cooperating positioning lingers adapted to engage therewith carried on the upper end of said sleeve.

l0. ln a switch, a easing, a reciprocating plunger, a spring for returning said plunger to its normal position, a rotatable sleeve having a pair of'eontact members to engage with said lingers, cam means above and below said Contact members and connected to said sleeve, but insulated therefrom, rotating means at the bottom of said casing to cooperate with the cam means below the contact members, and positioning means at the top of said casing to cooperate with the cam means above said Contact members, whereby when said plunger is depressed, said Contact members are rotated so that one will engage with a diti'erent pair of said Contact fingers and when said plunger is permitted to return to its normal position, said sleeve is positioned so that said sleeve will be rotated when said plunger is depressed.

In testimony whereof, l affix my signature.

VILLIAM E. MCLAUGHLIN. 

